Unfortunately, I'll be heading to the beach, but if you have the time this Saturday, you may want to check out the 2nd Annual Hops Festival at Echoview Farm in Weaverville, NC. The event feature local craft beer, bluegrass music and a tour of the farm's hops yard.
The 75-acre Echoview Farm,which is dedicated to sustainable agriculture, is also the largest producer of hops in NC. Hops are traditionally grown the the western parts of the U.S., but Echoview has set out to demonstrate that eastern states can be suitable to the crop, too. The farm currently grows 9 varieties, which find their way into Asheville-area craft brews after harvest.
The event takes place from 11 AM to 3 PM. Admission costs $10 per person
and includes lunch, samples of beers brewed with Echoview hops and a
tasting glass. Registration is online at www.echoviewfarm.com.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. - Ovila Abbey Dubbel
The Ovila project is a limited-edition, three-ale collaboration between Sierra Nevada and the Abbey of New Clairvaux. Each is brewed according to monastic traditions and part of the proceeds will go toward helping the monks of New Clarivaux to rebuild the Santa Maria de Ovila chapter house on the grounds of their monastery. The stones of the medieval structure date back to 1190.
The Dubbel was released this spring and is the first of three varieties that will be released this year. It comes in a corked & caged 750ml bottle. As a side note, the package is incredibly attractive.
7.5% ABV
Appearance
It's definitely an attractive beer... a rich coppery color with crystal clarity. There's a modest amount of carbonation. Close inspection reveals steady pillars of ultra-fine bubbles floating into a thin, tan head.
Aroma
Surprisingly, it has a very light aroma. sweet and malty with hints of cherry and clove. I expected something stronger.
Taste & Feel
Very sweet up front. It's rich, malty and fruity. Raisins and spice stand out in an otherwise caramel-sweet flavor. The initial sweetness is followed by a dry, carbonated burst that complements a light, but spicy, hops. Finish is dry and a bit peppery.
Verdict
Pretty good. I drank the whole bottle, and the flavor held up quite well as it warmed.Very much looking forward to the Quad, which should be out around Thanksgiving.
The Dubbel was released this spring and is the first of three varieties that will be released this year. It comes in a corked & caged 750ml bottle. As a side note, the package is incredibly attractive.
7.5% ABV
Appearance
It's definitely an attractive beer... a rich coppery color with crystal clarity. There's a modest amount of carbonation. Close inspection reveals steady pillars of ultra-fine bubbles floating into a thin, tan head.
Aroma
Surprisingly, it has a very light aroma. sweet and malty with hints of cherry and clove. I expected something stronger.
Taste & Feel
Very sweet up front. It's rich, malty and fruity. Raisins and spice stand out in an otherwise caramel-sweet flavor. The initial sweetness is followed by a dry, carbonated burst that complements a light, but spicy, hops. Finish is dry and a bit peppery.
Verdict
Pretty good. I drank the whole bottle, and the flavor held up quite well as it warmed.Very much looking forward to the Quad, which should be out around Thanksgiving.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
abbey
ale
amber
bar
barleywine
barrel aged
BBQ
beer
beer list
beer selection
belgian
black ale
black IPA
blog
blonde
bourbon
brett
Brettanomyces
brewery
brewing
brewpub
brown ale
canned
cask
chocolate
coconut
coffee
craft beer
craft brewing
disclaimer
documentary
dopplebock
double IPA
double stout
dubble
durham
ESB
event
festival
film
fruit
funding
hazelnut
helles
holiday
hops
ice
imperial
import
IPA
kickstarter
Kölsch
kriek
lager
lambic
letter
limited
local
marzen
Meat Week
movie
NC
nc beer month
news
nut
oaked
oatmeal
oktoberfest
organic
pale ale
pilsner
pork
porter
project
pub
pumpkin
quad
raleigh
rauchbier
red ale
restaurant
review
ribs
rye
saison
scotch ale
seasonal
smoked
sour
spiced
store
stout
survey
sweet potato
tap room
tour
tripel
TV
vanilla
wheat
white
white ipa
winter
wit
